Why I skipped Governors' meet - Matiang'i

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Fred Matiang’i. Information and ICT secretary Fred Matiang'i says he decided against attending the Governors’ conference in Kwale after it was politicised. PHOTO/FILE 

In Summary

• "In the lead up to the meeting, the din of the organisers pitch sounded and assumed a very political posture," said Dr Matiang'i who had been lined to be in a panel on ICT.
• On Thursday, eight Senators who had been listed to speak at the conference also gave it a wide berth.
• President Kenyatta had been lined up to open it on Thursday but he left for Brussels Wednesday on official duties.

Information and ICT secretary Fred Matiang'i says he decided against attending the Governors’ conference in Kwale after it was politicised.

"In the lead up to the meeting, the din of the organisers pitch sounded and assumed a very political posture," said Dr Matiang'i who had been lined to be in a panel on ICT.

"For us, the line between policy and politics is indelibly drawn by the Constitution. So I made the choice of any conscientious public servant – stay away from politics," the minister explained Thursday in a brief statement to the Nation.

However, he also blamed the organisers over what he described as a "cogent and lucid prep note" outlining the objectives and desired outcome so he "would make sense" of his participation.

But the minister was quick to affirm his desire and commitment to work with counties arguing engagement with county governments "is not a choice but a constitutional requirement which the President is focused on ensuring effective policy interface between national and county governments."

Dr Matiang'i was among a group of cabinet ministers and senior government officials lined up to speak at the conference but they all failed to turn up.

Deputy President William Ruto had been lined up to close the three-day conference on Friday, but indications are that he would not.

President Kenyatta had been lined up to open it on Thursday but he left for Brussels Wednesday on official duties.

(Read: Uhuru team quits county conference)

However, criticism by the President on the conference which he saw as a waste of public resources may have also made the officials to change their minds on their attendance.

On Thursday, eight Senators who had been listed to speak at the conference also gave it a wide berth.

Only Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki attended for a day and interacted with the governors.